a good reference:
| Up a level | Not my site, but a good reference: |
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| GB | Ceylon | Hong Kong | India | Jamaica | Natal | OFS | Australia and states |
| Up a level | by Dave Elsmore. | ||||||
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| Other Africa | Sarawak | Sudan | Transvaal | Uganda | New South Wales | Western Australia | Other Australia |
I have brought these prices up to date and added currency selection. CheckList Setup |
European naval powers were competing to control resources in Africa for centuries. They took the telegraph with them.
Areas of control changed over time, especially in times of war. The map below is a modern one coloured by areas of control around the end of the first World War. Germany was about to lose its' territory there.
Matabeleland is shown below. Other British areas using special telegraph stamps are on other pages as appropriate.
For European powers on the key shown on the map that issued telegraph stamps/seals that were used in Africa, click the name linking to them.
This page though is to show other, generally later items that deserve to be represented. That includes stationery and postage stamps used for telegraphic purposes.
I am sure there is a lot missing from this page. I would welcome help to fill in the gaps.
Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, so it is perhaps surprising that I have seen nothing telegraphic from there.
It did though have a telegraph connection. Interestingly, until 1933 maps showed it connected to Mozambique, but from 1934 it is shown connected to Mauritius.
It should be mentioned that the African Union is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| Shortcuts to parts of Africa on other pages. | ||||||||
| Morocco | Equatorial Guinea | Algeria | Egypt | Sudan | Eritrea | Uganda Railway (Kenya) | Angola | Mozambique |
I came across an interesting article on how large parts of Africa were "liberated" from the Africans. Well worth a read !
The earliest Telegraph connections were aimed at connecting South Africa to London. This was done via Suez, Aden and Zanzibar, with stepping stones across Mozambique to Durban.
Durban was connected to Capetown across land. In 1889 Angola was connected up the west coast and 10 years later German South West Africa, now Namibia was connected.
The details are interesting. See Atlantic-Cable.com and for Namibia/German SW Africa, see this 1MB PDF document.
Steve Hiscocks wrote:
These stamps were prepared and used by the Reuters Agent in Matabeleland, Capt. C. L. Norris-Newman, to keep track of payments for messages
carried from Bulawayo to the end of the telegraph line then being constructed from Tati to Bulawayo. The service was made generally available to
the public to offset costs but naturally had a limited life. The Post Office took over after about three months when the distance became less than the
minimum covered by the series.
Each sheet contained eighteen stamps: three rows of six of each value. There were fifty sheets cyclostyled (i.e. 300 of each value), and the sheets
were numbered 1 to 50 in red crayon in the top right corners. In use they were stuck to the original message, a copy of which was actually carried by
runners to the telegraph point, and cancelled in blue crayon or ink with Capt. Norris-Newman's initials and the date.
The three values, 10/-, 5/- and 2/6 corresponded to carriage from Bulawayo to Ramaguabane River (96 miles), Mangrove (60 miles) and Fig Tree (29 miles)
respectively, and the numbers actually used were 72, 135 and 151 respectively.
| Shortcuts to different sub-sections | |||
| Stationery Listing | British South Africa Co. | British Bechuanaland Tel. | African Trans-Continental Telegraph Co |
1894 (28 March to June) Cyclostyled in black on white wove paper,
gummed with natural gum (Mimoza). No watermark. Imperf.
Though many of the early forms lack identifying form numbers, there is surprising uniformity of style between various English-speaking Countries and Companies in Africa.
They appear to have copied the style used in the Cape Colony. Some later ones used British designations B and C. I will try to tabulate them for ease of comparison.
(Click on Reference to view or column heading to sort by it.)
A Telegram of the British South Africa Co. Telegraphs to Macloutsi, near Tuli from Vryburg dated 27 June, 1892. - My Provisional Ref: BSA-Del-1892-1
This has a section for "Charges to Pay", and says "CAPE MEAN-TIME is observed by British South Africa Company's Office."
This appears to be copied from the Cape of Good Hope form of 1885 shown below, with only the company name changed.
Image courtesy of Peter Thy.
A Telegram of the British South Africa Co. Telegraphs to Bulawayo, Matabeleland from Mafeking dated 24 August, but year unknown. - My Provisional Ref: BSA-Del-1893-1
Heading style changed. No space for charges. This says "CAPE UNIFORM TIME is observed by the British South Africa Company's Offices."
This does not have the year on it, but the same type seen used in Gaberones and Mafeking (below) were dated 10 August 1893 and 29 September respectively.
The fact that these are undated may imply that this cancel was for use on the stamps of sending forms.
This Telegram looks the same as the last, but has the year on it. - My Provisional Ref: BSA-Del-1893-1
Used at Mafeking dated 29 September 1893 from Macloutsi.
Image courtesy of Peter Thy.
A similar Telegram of the British South Africa Co. Telegraphs to Gwelo, Matabeleland. - My Provisional Ref: BSA-Del-1901-1
This has a more modern font for the heading and the wording is re-formatted. It also has a complete date of 13 March 1901.
A Telegram of the British Bechuanaland Telegraphs used at Mafeking dated 21 October 1893 from Vryburg. - My Provisional Ref: BB-Del-1893-1
This is the same as the British South Africa form of 1892 above apart from Company references.
They both appear to be copied from the Cape of Good Hope form of 1885 shown below, with only the company name changed.
Image courtesy of Peter Thy.
A Telegram of the British Bechuanaland Telegraphs to Bulawayo, Matabeleland. 23rd. July, but again no year. - My Provisional Ref: BB-Del-1893-1
This is the same as the one above used in 1893 and the one below used in 1897, so is probably in that range.
This does not have the year on it, but according to CapeStamps.com the British Bechuanaland Telegraphs became incorporated into
the Cape Colony system in 1895 after British Bechuanaland became part of the Cape Colony, so it was presumably before then.
Ex Andrew Higson, courtesy of Spink & Son.
A Telegram of the British Bechuanaland Telegraphs used at Palachwe, Khamas Town dated 8 February 1897. - My Provisional Ref: BB-Del-1893-1
This is the same as the 1893 and undated forms shown above, making it quite long-lived.
Image courtesy of Peter Thy who says of this :
"Palachwe (Khamas Town) was moved to a new site called Palapye around 1894, where the old canceller was still being used."
A Telegram of the African Trans-Continental Telegraph Co., Ltd. - My Provisional Ref: ATC-Del-1899-1
from Cape Town to Karonga (on the north-west coast of Lake Nyasa), 15 February 1899.
Karonga is to the East of Rhodesia, in the area of Nyasaland, but the African Trans-Continental Telegraph Co., Ltd.,
was founded by Cecil Rhodes so I include it here. It ran through that protectorate, with a branch line established from Lake Nyasa to Fort Jameson.
Ex Andrew Higson, courtesy of Spink & Son. For the envelope, - My Provisional Ref: ATC-Env-1899-1
1916 Telegrams of the African Trans-Continental Telegraph Co., Ltd.
received at Zomba (now in southern Malawi, to the west of Lake Chilwa) in September 1917.
These now have added "RHODESIAN MEAN TIME is observed by The African Transcontinental Telegraph Company's Offices"
I know of 3 different types. They differ in the size of the heading and wording layout.
Similar to last pair except first line of text ends with "payment of".
- My Provisional Ref: ATC-Del-1917-2
Zomba A.T.Tel 6 September 1917, courtesy of Deverell & Macgregor - click image for listing.
A Telegram of the Northern Rhodesia Telegraphs. Sent from Bulawayo and received at Broken Hill 15 June 1935. - My Provisional Ref: NR-T2-1935-1
Form T. 2. / B. & C.
Ex Andrew Higson, courtesy of Spink & Son.
The top of a form used 15 April 1913, very similar to the African Trans-Continental Telegraph Co. forms of the time shown above. - My Provisional Ref: SR-Del-1913-1
Received at Bulawayo Station from Capetown.
A used form of 3 February 1917, very similar to the one above, but wording re-formatted and less space for "Handed in at" etc. - My Provisional Ref: SR-Del-1917-1
Received at West Nicholson, southeast of Bulawayo from Filabusi, a small place also southeast of Bulawayo.
Image, courtesy of Bram Leeflang.
A used Service Message D form used 9 January 1928. "T4" at top-right. - My Provisional Ref: SR-D-1926-1
Imprint at top-left looks like "640—1000.26", suggesting a printing of 1,000 in 1926.
Image, courtesy of SteveDrewett.com.
An unused Service Message D form with top-right imprint of "Item No.—P.—4.T.—G.P.O." with "T.4." beneath. - My Provisional Ref: SR-D-1944-1
Imprint at top-left reads "G.P.O.—A.17019—H.8200—D.3113—2,000P.—17.7.44", suggesting a printing date of 17 July 1944.
Image, courtesy of SteveDrewett.com.
"Department of Posts & Telegraphs, Southern Rhodesia" with "T7." above-right, used 13 December 1919. - My Provisional Ref: SR-Env-T7-1919
Used in Bulawayo.
Image, courtesy of SteveDrewett.com.
"Department of Posts & Telegraphs, Southern Rhodesia" similar to last, but looks like "T9." above-right. - My Provisional Ref: SR-Env-T9-1930
This is said to be circa 1930 and looks a different colour. It is stamped "NIGHT TELEGRAM".
Image, courtesy of SteveDrewett.com.
"Department of Posts & Telegraphs, Southern Rhodesia" with two imprints above. Used 23 May 1943 in Arcturus. - My Provisional Ref: SR-Env-SE9T-1943
Not a wonderful image, but the imprints are clearly different to the next. I think they are both W & S and S.E.9.T.
Image, courtesy of SteveDrewett.com.
"Department of Posts & Telegraphs, Southern Rhodesia" with two imprints above. Used 25 May 1955 in Bulawayo. - My Provisional Ref: SR-Env-SE9T-1947
The imprints informatively give W. & S. Ltd., 27.10.47 and Item No. S.E.9.T.—G.P.O.
Image, courtesy of SteveDrewett.com.
A "Post Office Telegraphs, S. Rhodesia" form used 29 April 1929, with imprint of "962—6000.23", which might indicate a printing date in 1923. There is "B & C" under that. - My Provisional Ref: SR-T2-1923-1
It is also marked "T.2." at the top-right. Space for 50 words, very wide.
Image, with permission, from eBay.
A "Post Office Telegraphs, S. Rhodesia" form used 24 July 1934, with truncated imprint of "... 96 6000.26", which indicates a printing date in 1926. - My Provisional Ref: SR-T2-1926-1
It is also marked "T.2." at the top-right. Space for 50 words, very wide.
Image, with permission, from eBay.
A "Post Office Telegraphs, S. Rhodesia" form used 23 July 1932, with imprint of "2826—10,000P.15.4.30.", which indicates a printing date in 15 April 1930. - My Provisional Ref: SR-T2-1930-1
It is also marked "T.2." at the top-right. Space for 50 words, very wide.
Image, with permission, from eBay.
The top of a "Post Office Telegraphs, S. Rhodesia" form used 9 April 1943, with an imprint of "G.P.O.7869—H.1325—D.7579—5,000P.—16.12.41" suggesting a printing date of 16 December 1941. - My Provisional Ref: SR-T2-1941-1
At top-right is "Item No.—P.—2T.—G.P.O.", with below "T.2." — seems a lot of redundancy.
A used "Post Office Telegraphs, S. Rhodesia" form of 10 October 1946, with an imprint of "G.P.O.—H.9498—D.6711—10,000P.—16.4.46" suggesting a printing date of 16 April 1946. - My Provisional Ref: SR-T2-1946-1
Redundancy eliminated. This was used in Gatooma 10 October 1946.
A used "Post Office Telegraphs, S. Rhodesia" form of 26 May 1954, with an unclear imprint of "P.M.G.—P.M 29811—H.15337—30M.—23.7.50" (see the one below) , suggesting a printing date of 23 July 1950. - My Provisional Ref: SR-T2-1950-1
Below the imprint, it now looks like "R. & C." It is also marked "T.2." at the top-right. Comparing the filing holes of the 1929 above and the one below, this is about the same height as the 1929, but much narrower.
Image, with permission, from eBay.
A used "Post Office Telegraphs, S. Rhodesia" form used 2 October 1956, Gutu, with imprint of "P.M.G.—P.M 29811—H.15337—30M.—23.7.50", as last. - My Provisional Ref: SR-T2-1950-1
It is also marked "T.2." at the top-right.
Image courtesy of AlphaOmegaPhilately on eBay (click image for listing).
Top part of a "Post Office Telegraphs, S. Rhodesia" form, now in black, with imprint of "G.P.O. 1193/50/S H C. (V) LTD. 9,000P 11/8/50" suggesting a printing date of 11 August 1950. - My Provisional Ref: SR-T3-1950-1
It is also marked "T3" at the top-right. Below on the left is "B & C / Tele." - used 17 March 1952 in Bulawayo
The top of a "Post Office Telegraphs / Rhodesia - Nyasaland" form used 7 January 1959 in Raylton, similar to some above. - My Provisional Ref: SR-T3-1956-1
At top-left is an imprint of "G.P. & S. L16622—50M—200P—16-4-56 (G.P.L. X865 P)", suggesting a print date of 16 April 1956. "T.3" at top-right.
The top of a "Post Office Telegraphs / Rhodesia - Nyasaland" form used 24 April 1961 in Raylton, similar to above. - My Provisional Ref: SR-T3-1960-1
At top-left is an unclear imprint of something like "G.P.L. 16cmP&o—M203 6-60 P", suggesting a print date of June 1960. "T.3"(?) at top-right.
Form G. F. 22A. Used in Lalapanzi on 3 July 1927. Printed by "W. & S. Ltd." (Waterlow ?)
Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com
Three examples known, all are marked "RR", "T.F. 51", "SERVICE TELEGRAM", and have some relationship with Bulawayo.
Used 18 September 1959 at Bulawayo.
Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com
Images courtesy of SteveDrewett.com
This is a sending Form A. of the "Posts and Telecommunications Corporation", used 25 January 1994. No imprints, just a "T.1" at top-right. - My Provisional Ref: PTCZ-T1A-1994-1
The back postage stamps to cover the $4-13c charge. They are cancelled with red lines plus "CANCELLED" in black, a way to identify similar usage.
The Liberia Telecommunications Corp., was established in 1973 as the sole fixed line telephone operator in Liberia. - My Provisional Ref: Lib-TC-1
It was re-organized in 2007 as Libtelco. This image of a delivery envelope is all that I have seen. Further information and/or images would be appreciated.
Image courtesy of Les Bottomley.
These are all on Crown CA watermarked paper.
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| ½d green from 1882 courtesy of Paul & Les Bottomley |
3d lilac and red-brown from 1891 courtesy of ibredguy.co.uk |
6d lilac and red-violet from 1887 | 1s green from 1887 courtesy of Paul & Les Bottomley |
1s green from 1887 courtesy of ibredguy.co.uk |
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| 1d red from 1884 courtesy of Rolf Lamprecht |
2½d blue from 1887 courtesy of Rolf Lamprecht |
1/- green Edwardian from 1904 courtesy of Rolf Lamprecht |
These examples, courtesy of Ray of harris610 on eBay, were sold in December 2018 for £77.89 described as:-
Lagos SG35a x2, SG38a. Stamps catalogued £56 as postally used. Good condition, but slight perforation damage to centre stamp.
A 6d stamp with a Telegraph cancel of Uyo (capital of Akwa Ibom state in the South) dated 2 April 1958.
Image courtesy of Bram Leeflang.
A 1/- stamp with a Telegraph cancel of Aba (Southern Nigeria) dated 24 April 1959.
Image courtesy of Matthew Axiak.
A pair of 3d stamps with a Telegraph cancel of Mapo Hill (Abadan) Branch Office dated 28 July 1962.
"A" is a British designation for a Sending Form. These two forms are stages in the process of renaming Sending forms, though they appear to have been spoiled and not sent.
- My Provisional Ref: Nigeria-1-1915-1 On the bottom-left is "P. & T. Form No." and on the right is "Printed by the Government Printer, Lagos 17-12-15 ..."  Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com |
- My Provisional Ref: Nigeria-1-1916-1 The "A" has been moved down and the Form Number is now "Form T, No. 1". Below is similar to the last but dated 25-7-16.  Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com |
Used at Kano on 10 January 1938. Presumably only one family in Birmingham was named "Hoods". - My Provisional Ref: Nigeria-T20-1938-1
The back is marked "P. & T. Form No. 20." Images courtesy of SteveDrewett.com
A couple of stamps used in 1950 at Kolwezi in a mining area with Telegraphic cancels - courtesy of Rolf Lamprecht.
According to GracesGuide, in the 1880's The India Rubber, Gutta Percha and Telegraph Works Co promoted the West African Telegraph Company to link French and Portuguese colonies to the Spanish National system,
which had a cable terminating at St. Louis, Senegal. Also, within a few years the Eastern Telegraph Co had taken control of this company.
1912 Telegram No 4. from Lisbon to São Thomé (an island to the west of Gabon) - My Provisional Ref: WAT-N4-1912-1
This is in Portuguese.
Undated and apparently un-sent Sending Form in Portuguese. - My Provisional Ref: WAT-N7-Send-1
The Form Number 7 can be seen at top-left.
Front and back of an undated Form 5/11D for use at São Thomé, partially in English, mostly in Portuguese. - My Provisional Ref: WAT-5/11D-1
The Form Number 5/11D can be seen at top-left. This has a nice Emblem for the company,
complete with "Via Eastern" underneath.
The back has a long list of Conditions.
At the bottom it says "Typ. de Waterlow & Sons Limited, London Wall, Londres.".
Greetings Telegram T.156 used 27 May 1939 in Okahandja. - My Provisional Ref: SWA-T156-1939
At the bottom-left is "G.P.-S" and at bottom-right is "T. 156". Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com.
Front and back of a couple of Telegram T.4. Delivery Envelopes of 1917 - My Provisional Ref: SWA-T4-1917-1
"Aflevering Kosteloos" is in Dutch. The top was to Swakopmund and the bottom to Karibib via Omaruru (I think).
Not really Telegraphic, but it is relevant. These are postage stamps of India with red manuscript "B.E.A." provisional overprints (except the ½A) used 20 August 1890.
It is addressed to the Eastern Telegraph Co., at 50, Old Broad Street, London E.C., at a time when that company was laying underwater cable between
Mombasa and Lamu Island (240 km north-northeast of Mombasa) and just previous had the done the same between Zanzibar and Mombasa.
All of which explains why this was NOT telegraphed. The London Registration mark looks to be dated 9 September.
Image courtesy of Schuyler Rumsey Philatelic Auctions. (click on image for listing).
The East Africa and Uganda Protectorates (above) were occupied by Germany in W.W.1 and then by the British in 1917, initially using stamps of India overprinted I.E.F. until June.
A League of Nations Mandate in 1922 split the former German East Africa into British, Belgian and Portuguese parts.
1917 - Stamps of East Africa and Uganda overprinted G.E.A. as a temporary measure.
I also show some with British Army Telegraph cancels, but there was other telegraphic usage outside that scope. The 3c and 6c images above are courtesy of Rolf Lamprecht.
These large-format stamps, with British Army Signals cancels were used in 1921 and also punched.
Army Signals cancels are larger and often in mauve. The left one is mine, the right image is courtesy of Andrew Higson.
1922-5 - New stamps inscribed simply Tanganyika.
Punched blocks (not to scale) of 20c, 30c with gutter and 75c courtesy of Matthew Axiak.
1927 - New stamps inscribed Mandated Territory of Tanganyika.
Again, stamps up to 75c were in a smaller format. The large format also includes the £1 value.
High-value images courtesy of Les Bottomley, except the 10/- courtesy of Bram Leeflang.
An O.H.M.S. D.D. 129. envelope of "Telegraphs and Signalling" dated 1917, used at Kidatu. - My Provisional Ref: Tan-DD129-1917-1
Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com.
Formed in 1907 with military involvement in WWII. Became part of the Central African Federation in 1953
and became independent as Malawi in 1964.
 Dedza is near the border with Mozambique and has a mountain, making it strategic for radio telegraphy. The town saw an influx of refugees in the 1920s and ’30s from Mozambique (evading taxation). A.T.T. Co. was likely providing telegraphy. 1931, 2/- and 4/- Image courtesy of Andrew Higson. |
 Limbe Tels. Limbe is near Blantyre city. This is dated 17 August 1931. 5/- image courtesy of Bram Leeflang. |
A couple of Telegraphic cancels courtesy of Les Bottomley:
A telegram delivery Form T.A. 3, used 14 August 1945 at Limuru. - My Provisional Ref: Ken-TA3-1945-1
These were delivered in envelopes having form number T.A. 33.
'NO CHARGE FOR DELIVERY'. - My Provisional Ref: Ken-TA33-1945-1
An unusual example of Telegraphic cancels on Postage Due stamps, used 9 May 1929 in Kampala.
Image courtesy of Bram Leeflang.
Dar es Salaam 5 January 1939 Telegraphic cancel.
Cable & Wireless Telegram envelope used 9 July 1948 to Mombasa, Kenya.
Printed in England "3/-3 Pattern A."
Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com.
An O.H.M.S. envelope in use by Army Signals to deliver a telegram to East Africa Force Headquarters on 19 April 1942. The OHMS is in English and Afrikaans/Dutch.
"East Africa Force" Initialy made me think of Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika, but from the beginning of 1941 they were fighting to free Abyssinia from Italian forces from Somalia.
Between January and April 1941, the East Africa Force launched a series of attacks across Abyssinia culminating in the May 1941 Battle of Amba Alagi, and subsequent capture of Addis Ababa.
The Army Signals cancel has the code CH OS. It is possible that the CH indicated Chumba, to the south of Addis Ababa.
The "Per via Aerea" in blue at top-left is "By Air" in Italian.
On 15th September 1941, East Africa Command came into being, mostly as an upgrade to the East Africa Force. It was headquartered in Nairobi.
Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com.
Bram Leeflang has provided the following information and image :
"The first telegraph line in southern Africa was inaugurated on 6 May 1860 and operated between Cape Town and Simonstown.
It was a private enterprise, owned by the Cape of Good Hope Telegraph Company, and its first office was a wooden, pagoda-like structure on the corner of Adderley and Strand Streets.
On 1 July 1873, the whole telegraph network was purchased
and ‘nationalised’ by the Cape government. The Post Office took over the Telegraph
Department on 16 February 1885."
A C.O.G.H. form dated 11 June 1885. It measures 217 x 183 mm, was handed in at West Somerset and addressed to Roeland Street in Cape Town. - My Provisional Ref: CGH-Del-1885-1
"CAPE MEAN-TIME is observed throughout CAPE COLONY."
This Head Office strike of 23mm was used during 1884 and 1885. This boxed "Cape Town" cachet is known from 1885 to 1886 when it was replaced by a larger version.
Information and image courtesy of Bram Leeflang.
A C.O.G.H. form dated 20 September 1890. Handed in at Vryburg and used at Kimberley. - My Provisional Ref: CGH-T27-1890-1
The wording has been changed and now includes "POST OFFICE TELEGRAPHS" at the top.
It has an imprint at top-right of "G.P.O. 510. / T.27."
Images courtesy of Peter Thy.
A C.O.G.H. form dated 16 October 1893. Handed in at Vryburg and used at Mafeking, Bechuanaland. - My Provisional Ref: CGH-T27-WAR-1893-1
The wording has minor layout changes, and the at the top. The "G.P.O. 510. / T.27." imprint has moved to top-right
A W.A.R. & Sons (W.A. Richards & Sons) 1893 printers imprint has been added at top-right. Paper a bit whiter.
Images courtesy of Peter Thy.
A C.O.G.H. form dated 29 October 1895. Handed in at Cape Town and used at Vryburg. - My Provisional Ref: CGH-T27-WAR-1894-1
The wording and G.P.O. imprint are the same as last. Only the W.A.R. & Sons printers imprint has changed to 1894. Paper whiter still.
"CAPE UNIFORM TIME is observed throughout Cape Colony, British Bechuanaland, Mashonaland, the Transvaal and Orange Free State."
Images courtesy of Peter Thy.
I have added a lot of his images to this page. They come from a PDF document with emphasis on telegrams documenting early use in Bechuanaland.
Click the link above to download the pdf file(6.7MB).
A C.O.G.H. form dated 16 October 1897. Handed in at Braamfontein Station, Johannesburg. and used at the Central Telegraph Office in Capetown. - My Provisional Ref: CGH-T27-WAR-1896-1
"C.T." has been added to the G.P.O. imprint at top-left. The W.A.R. & Sons printers imprint has changed to 1896. Paper a more buff colour.
British Bechuanaland and Mashonaland have been replaced by Rhodesia in the Cape Uniform Time list.
Images courtesy of Bram Leeflang.
ENVELOPES.
A C.O.G.H. envelope dated 10 October 1887. It is printed in green and marked "(T. 4A.)". Used in Cape Town. - My Provisional Ref: CGH-T4A-1887-1
It is marked for a charge of 6d for Porterage.
Imprint.
A C.O.G.H. envelope dated 26 July 1897. Imprint at top-right of "G.P.O. 608 / T 4 ". Used in Vryburg Station. - My Provisional Ref: CGH-608-T4-1897-1
It is marked "No Charge for Delivery".
Images courtesy of Peter Thy.
A C.O.G.H. envelope dated 3 December 1904. Imprint at top-right of "G.P.O. 608 / T 4 ". Used in Cape Town. - My Provisional Ref: CGH-608-T4-1904-1
It is marked "No Charge for Delivery".
Image, courtesy of SteveDrewett.com.
A similar C.O.G.H. envelope dated 16 October 1897. Imprint at top-left of "G.P.O. 503 / T 4 ". Used at C.T.O. Cape Town. - My Provisional Ref: CGH-503-T4-1897-1
It is marked "No Charge for Delivery".
Images courtesy of Bram Leeflang.
A Bi-lingual envelope dated 15 January 1964. Imprint at top-right of "T.4". Used at Morija, Basutoland. - My Provisional Ref: Basuto-T4-1964-1
It is marked "No Charge for Delivery". Very similar to those in SouthWest Africa.
Images courtesy of Deverell & Macgregor..
Various Telegraphic and Telephonic cancels are known.
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| C.T.O (Central Telegraph Office) on 1/- | Head Telegraph Office on 5/- | East London Telephone Exchange. |
| Cape Town cancels courtesy of Les Bottomley | Courtesy of Bram Leeflang | |
Bram Leeflang says of the East London item that only a few are recorded between 24 May 1900 and 19 March 1901, plus a single outlier of Queenstown 4 October 1902.
The Rondebosch cancels below range from 20 June 1904 - 4 November 1908.
He says that the Rondebosch Telephone Exchange did not have the authority to process mails,
but a few of these single circle office date stamps have been recorded between 20 June 1904 and 4 November 1908.
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| Cape Town Call Office, 26 October 1915 5s - courtesy of Bram Leeflang |
Cape Town Call Office, 6 November 1915 10s - courtesy of Bram Leeflang |
Telephones ? In purple - Date unknown 10s - courtesy of Martin Townley. |
Bram Leeflang says of the "Call Office" stamps that they are on the 1913 issue and he has not seen any others from anywhere in South Africa.
Michael Wigmore supplied the helpful information that it is in Putzel Postmarks, vol 2, Cape Town ‘sundry’ p.86, no.460x.
That illustrates another 5s dated in August 1914 with the comment "not seen on mail".
If the 'Call Office' was a place where the public could go to make telephone calls, similar to the NTC in Britain, then the stamps
could have paid for the calls and be duly stamped, either in a book or on a receipt.
Examples on piece may not still exist though.
The "TELEPHONES" item is probably something similar but examples showing more parts of it are needed.
Anyone have any ?
Form T. 27
Marked with a G.P.O. "T. 27." imprint at top-left with an unclear number, and very similar to the Cape of Good Hope T27 forms. - My Provisional Ref: UoSA-T27-1911-1
English only. Used at Worcester on 18 July 1911.
It was delivered in the T.4. envelope shown which is almost identical to the CoGH one used at Vryburg 26 July 1897 shown under CGH-T4-1897-1.
The Worcester cancellation as on both the telegram form and envelope has "S T N " for "STATION" at the bottom (clearer on the envelope back-stamp), and was used by the telegraph dept only.
The cancel is not known postally. Images and information courtesy of Bram Leeflang.
Marked with a "T. 27." imprint at top-right. and a C.T. Ltd imprint at top-left suggesting a print-date of December 1913 for 100,000 pads. - My Provisional Ref: UoSA-T27-CT-1913-1
Similar to the last, but now 6-rows of conditions and 2-rows of NB's. Used at Luderitzbucht (German SWA) on 24 May 1915.
C.T. Ltd is Cape Times Limited, a newspaper printer.
This had the following description: "1915 telegraph form from a Provost Marshal in Gideon to a Provost Marshall in Luderitzbucht with
fine very large violet 2-ring "S.A. FIELD TELEGRAM ARMY POSTAL CORPS./14 MAY 1915/FORCE C" (much later use than recorded in Putzel) ".
Part of Cavendish Philatelic Auctions, Item 9460-A873, Lot 837 on Philasearch.com
Marked with a "(Station Books 9/57.) " imprint at top-left, an Eastern & South African Telegraph receipt used at Cape Town Station on 3 February 1914. - My Provisional Ref: ESA-9/57-Rec-1914-1
The Capetown handstamp cancels a 1d embossed Cape of Good Hope stamp that looks like King Edward VII, so these forms are presumably a few years old. They still have face-value though.
Presumably it covered a receipt tax. The Eastern & South African Telegraph Co was formed in 1893 to link Aden to Durban.
Image courtesy of Bram Leeflang.
Marked with a "T. 27. C.T. " imprint at top-right. and an S.A. Electric imprint at top-left suggesting a print-date of April 1914 for 15,000 pads. - My Provisional Ref: UoSA-T27-SA-1914-1
Now a horizontal format printed in English and Dutch, 5-rows of conditions and 2 NB's. Used at Capetown on 5 October 1914. Size: 219 x 184 mm.
Ernest T. Notcutt's S.A. (South African) Electric Printing & Publishing Co was established at Loop Street, Cape Town in 1898, using electric powered Linotype presses.
Image courtesy of Bram Leeflang.
Marked with a "T. 27." imprint at top-right. and a C.T. Ltd imprint at top-left suggesting a print-date of April 1915 for 600 pads. - My Provisional Ref: UoSA-T27-CT-1915-1
Similar to the last, but now 6-rows of conditions. Used at Capetown on 14 March 1916.
C.T. Ltd is Cape Times Limited, a newspaper printer.
Image courtesy of Bram Leeflang.
Marked with a "T. 27." imprint at top-right. and a C.T. Ltd imprint of 8.18 at top-left. Used 6 November 1920 in Windhuk, S.W.Africa - My Provisional Ref: UoSA-T27-CT-1918-1
Similar to the last, but now conditions moved down. Just 2 rows of NB's at top, and no "Charges to Pay" box.
Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com.
Marked with a "T. 27." imprint at top-right. and an illegible imprint at top-left. Used 18 May 1921 in Swakopmund, S.W.Africa - My Provisional Ref: UoSA-T27-AnCO-1921-1
Similar to the last, conditions moved down. Just 2 rows of NB's at top, and no "Charges to Pay" box.
"AnCO" ?
Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com.
Marked with the British designation B/C at top-left with a 1 April 1924 printing date. It is also marked "T. 27." at top-right. - My Provisional Ref: POT-T27-BC-1924-1
Used at Mossel Bay on 7 February 1927. No longer any mention of Union of South Africa or any other country.
2 rows of NB's at the bottom. Inscribed in English and Afrikaans.
Marked with "T. 27." and a 1928 imprint at top-left. Printed in red. - My Provisional Ref: GPS-T27-1928-1
Used at Durban, 24 December 1939.
There are slogans printed on the back that can be read on the front.
Inscribed in English and Afrikaans. Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com
Here is a different 1939 example, also from Steve Drewett, showing front and back.
The folded back of a "T. 27." dated 7 May 1943 with a slogan in black.
Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com
The 1939 Durban telegram above was delivered in the T. 4 envelope shown below :
- My Provisional Ref: UoSA-T4-JDC-Env-1938
Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com
"J. D. & CO. (AFRICA) LTD.", a similar T. 4 used at Johannesburg on 8 November 1937 - My Provisional Ref: UoSA-T4-JDC-Africa-37
Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com
Marked with "T. 27." and an imprint at top-left. It has a Durbant CDS handstamp of 19 August 1944 - My Provisional Ref: GPS-T27-1944-1
This telegram was delivered in the envelope shown below. It appears to be marked T. 21 - My Provisional Ref: UoSA-T21-Env-1944
Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com
Marked with "T. 27." and a 1944-5 imprint at top-left. It has 2 different CDS handstamps (?!) - My Provisional Ref: GPS-T27-1944-2
Used February 1947.
Inscribed in English and Afrikaans.
Marked with a 1949-50 imprint at top-left and "T. 27." at top-right. - My Provisional Ref: GPS-T27-1949-1
Used at Mossel Bay on 20 April 1950.
Inscribed in English and Afrikaans.
Marked with a 1952-53 imprint at top-left and "T. 27." at top-right. - My Provisional Ref: GPS-T27-1952-1
Used at Dundee, Natal on 31 November 1957.
Inscribed in English and Afrikaans.
Marked with a 1954-55 imprint at top-left and "T. 27." at top-right. - My Provisional Ref: GPS-T27-1954-1
Used at Dundee, Natal on 27 January 1957 (before the last).
Inscribed in English and Afrikaans.
S.A.R. & H. (Railways & Harbours) form T. 659. dated 31 August 1936. Imprint at top-left gives a printing date of 18.10.15. - My Provisional Ref: GP-T659-1936-1
Used at Zebediela on 31 August 1936.
Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com.
A Reuters Telegram from London using an unusual 10-letter code. Reuters charged words longer than 10 letters as 2 words. - My Provisional Ref: Reut-Del-CT-1929-1
Used at Cape Town, and dated 1 January 1929
"S.A. Electric Ltd. " imprint at bottom-right. Image courtesy of James Hammond.
An Overseas Telegram of "The Wireless Telegraph Company of South Africa Ltd." of Cape Town, marked "T. 14." at top-right. - My Provisional Ref: WTSA-T14-CT-1929-1
"Via Beam" (see Imperial Wireless). Used at Cape Town, and dated 1 November 1929
"Daily Letter Telegram. Subject to minimum delay of 48 hours." is stamped at bottom-right.
Image courtesy of AlphaOmegaPhilately on eBay (click image for listing).
This Overseas Telegram envelope matches the style of the above telegram. It has no form nomber. The 1929 telegram above says "Via Beam". This 1931 envelope says "Route / Via Overseas". - My Provisional Ref: Overseas-Env-1931-1
Image courtesy of SteveDrewett.com.
As always, If anyone can provide further information and/or scans to help with this page, I am happy to give appropriate credit.
Last updated 30th. September 2025
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